Prevalence Of Polyneuropathy Research Articles

The Prevalence of Polyneuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Subgroups Based on HOMA2 Indices of β-Cell Function and Insulin Sensitivity.

Metabolic syndrome components may cumulatively increase the risk of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, driven by insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. We investigated the prevalence of DPN in three T2DM subgroups based on indices of β-cell function and insulin sensitivity. We estimated β-cell function (HOMA2-B) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-S) in 4,388 Danish patients with newly diagnosed T2DM. Patients were categorized into subgroups of hyperinsulinemic (high HOMA2-B, low HOMA2-S), classical (low HOMA2-B, low HOMA2-S), and insulinopenic (low HOMA2-B, high HOMA2-S) T2DM. After a median follow-up of 3 years, patients filled the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument questionnaire (MNSIq) to identify DPN (score ≥ 4). We used Poisson regression to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) for DPN, and spline models to examine the association with HOMA2-B and HOMA2-S. A total of 3,397 (77%) patients filled in the MNSIq. The prevalence of DPN was 23% among hyperinsulinemic, 16% among classical, and 14% among insulinopenic patients. After adjusting for demographics, diabetes duration and therapy, lifestyle behaviors, and metabolic syndrome components (waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, hypertension, and HbA1c), the PR of DPN was 1.35 (95% CI 1.15-1.57) for the hyperinsulinemic compared with the classical patients. In spline analyses, we observed a linear relation of higher DPN prevalence with increasing HOMA2-B, independent of both metabolic syndrome components and HOMA2-S. Hyperinsulinemia marked by high HOMA2-B is likely an important risk factor for DPN beyond metabolic syndrome components and insulin resistance. This should be considered when developing interventions to prevent DPN.

Impact of microvascular complications on the outcomes of diabetic foot in type 2 diabetic patients with documented peripheral artery disease.

Microvascular disease (MVD) is associated with amputation linked to peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the general population. No study evaluated the impact of diabetic microvascular complications on the outcomes of vascular diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). The aim of the study was to investigate whether retinopathy, nephropathy, and polyneuropathy can predict the outcomes of DFU in type 2 diabetic patients with PAD. Three hundred and thirty-one consecutive patients with vascular DFU were enrolled and followed up for 44.1 ± 23.9 months. The prevalence of retinopathy was significantly higher in subjects with ulcer persistence (45.2%; p < 0.01), minor amputation (48.9%; p < 0.001), and major amputation (57.9%; p < 0.001) than in healed patients (23.3%), and in non-survivors than in survivors (64.9 versus 20.5%; p < 0.001). The prevalence of nephropathy was significantly greater in subjects with ulcer persistence (83.9%; p < 0.01), minor amputation (86.7%; p < 0.001), and major amputation (94.7%; p < 0.001) than in those with healed DFU (64.4%), and in non-survivors than in survivors (88.3 versus 65.7%; p < 0.001). The prevalence of polyneuropathy was significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors (76.6 versus 61.0%; p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed that absence of retinopathy (OR: 0.451; 95% CI: 0.250-0.815; p < 0.001) and nephropathy (OR: 0.450; 95% CI: 0.212-0.951; p = 0.036) were independently associated with healing. Moreover, retinopathy was a predictor both of minor amputation (OR: 2.291; 95% CI: 1.061-4.949; p = 0.034) and mortality (OR: 5.274; 95% CI: 2.524-11.020; p < 0.001). Polyneuropathy never entered the regression model. Diabetic microvascular complications, in particular retinopathy, may predict the outcomes of vascular DFU. Longitudinal studies should confirm this finding.

Prevalence of Polyneuropathy and Encephalopathy in Children under Regular Hemodialysis.

Prevalence of Polyneuropathy and Encephalopathy in Children under Regular Hemodialysis.

Association Between Fat Mass or Fat Fibrotic Gene Expression and Polyneuropathy in Subjects With Obesity: A Korean Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Cohort.

AimWe aimed to investigate the association between obesity-related parameters and polyneuropathy (PN) and to evaluate inflammatory and fibrotic gene expression of fat as a potential mediator in subjects scheduled to undergo metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS).MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of MBS cohort. Body composition and visceral fat area (VFA) were quantified by bioimpedance analysis and computed tomography scan. PN was defined by Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument–Physical Examination score was > 2. We measured mRNA expression level of FN1, TIMP1, CCL2, and CXCL8 in omental fat tissue.ResultsOf 189 subjects (mean age, 39.4 years; 69 [36.5%] male; mean body mass index, 38.5 kg/m2), prevalence of PN was 9.1% in subjects without diabetes (n = 110) and 20.3% in those with diabetes (n = 79). Nondiabetic subjects with PN had higher homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (6.8 ± 3.5 vs 4.5 ± 2.8, p = 0.041), and increased fat mass (58.5 ± 12.5 kg vs 50.5 ± 10.7 kg, p = 0.034), and VFA (309.4 ± 117.6 cm2 vs 243.5 ± 94.2 cm2, p = 0.046) compared to those without PN. These obesity-related parameters were significantly associated with the presence of PN after adjusting for conventional risk factors of PN only in subjects without diabetes. In contrast, a fibrotic gene such as TIMP1 was independently associated with PN (adjusted odds ratio of 1.56; 95% confidence interval 1.06, 2.30) only in subjects with diabetes.ConclusionIncreased adiposity was independently associated with PN in obese subjects without diabetes. In contrast, this association was not significant after adjusting conventional risk factors of PN in obese subjects with diabetes but increased fibrotic gene expression in fat was associated with PN in this group.

Association of Peripheral Neuropathy in Hepatitis C Infection with and without Cryoglobulineamia

Objective: The purpose of this study was to find out the association of peripheral neuropathy in hepatitis C infection with and without cryoglobulineamia. Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and Duration: Conducted in Liver Transplant Unit, Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences, Gambat Khairpur Mirs, Sindh for the duration of six months from November 2020 to April 2021. Methods: Total 50 patients who had hepatitis C infection and peripheral neuropathy were included in this study. Patients were aged between 18- 60 years. Detailed demographics of patients including age, sex and body mass index were recorded after taking informed written consent. When symptoms and evidence of peripheral sensory or motor involvement were evident, clinical neuropathy was diagnosed. Sural nerve biopsy was done on patients and the biopsy specimen was evaluated morphologically and morphometrically. Multiple neuropathy, cranial neuropathy, and polyneuropathy are all terms used to describe peripheral nerve involvement. Our research focused on the motor conduction of the median, ulnar, and common peroneal nerves, measuring MCV, CMAP amplitude, and distal latency (DL) in both patients with and without cryoglobulinaemia for each nerve. The SPSS 20.0 version was used to analyze the data. Results: Mean age of the patients was 46.23±9.87 years with mean BMI 29.16±11.27 kg/m2. There were 30 (60%) females and 20 (40%) were males. We found that 35 (70%) patients had CG involvement with peripheral neuropathy and 15 (30%) cases were without CG. Prevalence of polyneuropathy was higher 19 (54.3%) in CG patients as compared to non CG 2 (13.3%). Mononeuropathy or multiple neuropathy was higher in HCV CG patients 13 (37.1%) as compared to HCV non CG patients 4 (26.7%). 25 patients underwent nerve biopsy (20 CG patients and 5 non CG). Prevalence of epineurial vasculitis and fascicular loss of axons was higher in non CG patients while demyelination + axonal degeneration were prevalent in CG patients. MCV of the deep peroneal nerve in patients with CG+ was low as compared to CG. Even though no statistically significant differences were detected, the other neurophysiological measures pointed to a more extensive and severe involvement of peripheral nerve in CG+ patients. Conclusion: We concluded in this study that the association of peripheral neuropathy in HCV patients with cryoglobulinaemia was greater as compared to non-CG HCV patients. It appears that both CG+ and CG patients suffer from peripheral nerve injury via a vasculitic mechanism, as evidenced by clinical and morphological observations. Serum CG levels indicate a more severe and broad neuropathic involvement, however research suggests that cryoglobulins are not the only element in the vasculitic process. Keywords: Cryoglobulinemia, Peripheral Neuropathy, HCV

Metabolic control and hypoglycaemia in people with type 1 diabetes: insulin pump therapy vs. intensified insulin therapy in an unselected cohort in routine care

AimsThe aim of this study was to compare individuals with type 1 diabetes with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and intensified insulin therapy (ICT) in routine care regarding metabolic control and treatment satisfaction.MethodsIndividuals with type 1 diabetes (CSII n = 74; ICT n = 163) were analysed regarding metabolic control, frequency of hypoglycaemia and treatment satisfaction (DTSQs range 0–36).ResultsIndividuals with CSII (duration of CSII: 14.1 ± 7.2 years) were younger (51.1 ± 15.8 vs. 56.2 ± 16.2 years, p = 0.023), had longer diabetes duration (28.7 ± 12.4 vs. 24.6 ± 14.3 years, p = 0.033), lower insulin dosage (0.6 ± 0.2 vs. 0.7 ± 0.4 IU/kg, p = 0.004), used more frequently short-acting analogue insulin (90.5% vs. 48.5%, p < 0.001) and flash/continuous glucose monitoring (50.0% vs. 31.9%, p = 0.009) than people with ICT. HbA1c was similar between CSII and ICT (7.1 ± 0.8%/54.4 ± 9.1 mmol/mol vs. 7.2 ± 1.0%/55.7 ± 10.9 mmol/mol, p = 0.353). Individuals with CSII had higher frequency of non-severe hypoglycaemia per week (in people with blood glucose monitoring: 1.9 ± 1.7 vs. 1.2 ± 1.6, p = 0.014; in people with flash/continuous glucose monitoring: 3.3 ± 2.2 vs. 2.1 ± 2.0, p = 0.006). Prevalence of polyneuropathy (18.9% vs. 38.0%, p = 0.004) and systolic blood pressure (138.0 ± 16.4 vs. 143.9 ± 17.1 mmHg, p = 0.014) was lower in CSII. Satisfaction with diabetes treatment (26.7 ± 7.3 vs. 26.0 ± 6.8, p = 0.600) did not differ between CSII and ICT.ConclusionsCSII and ICT yielded comparable metabolic control and treatment satisfaction but CSII was associated with higher incidence of non-severe hypoglycaemia and lower insulin dosage.

208-OR: Fat Mass and Insulin Resistance Are Independent Risk Factors for Polyneuropathy in Non-DM Subjects Who Underwent Bariatric/Metabolic Surgery

Background: Obesity is an important risk factor for polyneuropathy (PN) in subjects with DM. However, PN can be detected in subjects without overt DM but with risk factors for DM such as metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it is worthy to investigate the prevalence of PN in obese subjects and to discover the underlying mechanisms of the association between obesity and PN. Methods: We analyzed the data of 184 subjects who underwent bariatric/metabolic surgery. PN was diagnosed when a Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument score was ≥ 2.5. Total body fat mass and percentage were measured by bioimpedance analysis, and visceral fat area (VFA) was quantified by computed tomography. According to DM status, obesity-related parameters were compared between subjects with PN and those without PN. The association between obesity-related parameters and PN was analyzed using logistic regression models. Results: Of 184 subjects (mean age, 39.1 years; mean BMI, 38.6 kg/m2), 39.7% were diagnosed with DM. The prevalence of PN was 9.0% in non-DM group and 21.9% in DM group. In non-DM group, subjects with PN showed higher HOMA-IR, fat mass, and VFA compared with those without PN. HOMA-IR (OR, 1.492; 95% CI, 1.110-2.005), fat mass (OR, 1.087; 95% CI, 1.008-1.171), and VFA (OR 1.013; 95% 1.001-1.024) were significantly associated with PN even after adjustment of known risk factors of PN. In DM group, subjects with PN showed higher body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and VFA compared with those without PN. However, after adjustment of known risk factors of PN, these obesity related parameters were not significantly associated with PN. Conclusion: Fat mass and insulin resistance might be independent risk factors in development of PN for obese subjects without DM. PN evaluation might be necessary in subjects with morbid obesity even before development of overt DM, and we need to investigate whether weight loss intervention can prevent or delay PN in obese subjects. Disclosure K. Kim: None. T. Oh: None. S. Choi: None. H. Jang: None.

PB2171 THE COMPARISON OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLYNEUROPATHY FREQUENCY AND CLINICAL AND LABORATORY FINDINGS IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA CASES

Background:Multiple myeloma (MM) patients compose approximately 10% of patients with hematological malignancies. Polyneuropathy (PN) is one of the most important complications related to the disease and treatment.Aims:Multiple myeloma (MM) patients compose approximately 10% of patients with hematological malignancies. Polyneuropathy (PN) is one of the most important complications related to the disease and treatment.MethodsA total of 121 MM cases followed in the Hematology Clinic of Atatürk Training and Research Hospital between 2010‐2018 were included in the study. Electromyography results were evaluated retrospectively and clinical and laboratory findings were compared. Five cases with diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study. Chi‐square method was accepted as statistically significant p &lt;0.05.Results:The median age of the patients was 64.5 (min 39 max: 88), and Female/Male ratio was 51/65 (44%/65%). Demographic data of 28 (24.3%) patients with PN and 87 (75.7%) patients without PN were presented in Table 1. Renal function tests were normal in 64 (55.7%) of 87 patients without polyneuropathy (p = 0.005). There were 28 (23%) cases with extramedullary plasmacytoma larger than 1.5 cm which were detected by MR imaging at the time of diagnosis. In cases with extramedullary plasmacytoma, the prevalence of polyneuropathy was higher at the initial diagnosis (p = 0.012).Summary/Conclusion:There are publications in the literature showing that PN is associated with perineural and perivascular monoclonal immunoglobulin accumulation in MM. In our cases, there was no correlation between the presence of PN during diagnosis and the immunoglobulin subtype, but it was found to be related to the presence of renal dysfunction and the presence of extramedullary plasmacytoma. And we think that this result is the considerable.image

Clinical characteristics and the long-term outcome of patients with atypical POEMS syndrome variant with undetectable monoclonal gammopathy.

The diagnosis of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome requires polyneuropathy and monoclonal plasma cell proliferation as two mandatory criteria. Our aim was to summarize clinical manifestations and treatment responses of POEMS variants with no evidence of monoclonal gammopathy. We queried all medical documentation of patients referred to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2012 to July 2017, and reviewed the clinical and laboratory features of 13 patients with atypical POEMS syndrome with undetectable monoclonal gammopathy, and compared to prototypes published. The prevalence of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, skin changes, and extravascular fluid overload were 100%, 100%, 92%, and 100%, respectively. Other clinical manifestations, such as endocrinopathy, pulmonary hypertension, papilledema, thrombocytosis, and polycythemia affected similar percentages of patients as seen in prototypes. POEMS variants enrolled had a median serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level of 4998pg/ml (range 2155-11,029pg/ml). Long-term follow-up found that all 12 patients received autologous stem cell transplant, melphalan-based therapy or lenalidomide/thalidomide-based therapy obtained clinical improvement, of which eight experienced decreased levels of VEGF by 50% or back to normal. The median progression-free survival was 101.5months. Our findings raised a variant of POEMS syndrome variants with featured clinical manifestations, elevated VEGF levels, and good response to therapies targeting plasma cell.

Polyneuropathy in Severely Obese Women Without Diabetes: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

Obesity and its complications are prevalent in women and increase with age. Polyneuropathy (PNP) is a complication of obesity and bariatric surgery (BS). In subjects with severe (grades II and III) obesity and without DM who are candidates for BS, the prevalence of PNP and associated conditions are not well characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PNP in severely obese (SO) women without DM or common nutritional deficiencies in order to determine factors associated with the presence of PNP. A cross-sectional study was performed on 450 SO women. They were evaluated with the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, a Sleep Apnea Questionnaire, and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data on blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, vitamin B12, and postmenopausal (PM) status were also collected. Patients with DM and other common causes of PNP were excluded. To evaluate which variables were independently associated with PNP (dependent variable), Poisson regression models were used. The prevalence of PNP was 11.6%. In univariate analysis, PNP was associated with age, PM status, and diagnosis of systemic arterial hypertension (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.016, respectively), and there was a trend toward an association with sleep apnea risk (p = 0.101). In multivariate analysis, PM status (PR = 2.836, 95% CI 1.735-4.636, p = 0.001) and age (PR = 1.0511, 95% CI 1.031-1.071, p = 0.001) were independently associated with PNP diagnosis in two different models. Even prior to BS, PNP is highly prevalent and is associated with PM status and age in SO women without diabetes.

The influence of levodopa, entacapone and homocysteine on prevalence of polyneuropathy in patients with Parkinson's disease

The influence of levodopa, entacapone and homocysteine on prevalence of polyneuropathy in patients with Parkinson's disease

Changes in patient characteristics, glucose lowering treatment, glycemic control and complications in type 2 diabetes in general practices (Disease Analyzer, Germany: 2008-2016)

ABSTRACTObjectives: The objectives were to examine long-term changes in type 2 diabetes patient characteristics, diabetes treatment, control and complications in general practices.Methods: All type 2 diabetes patients were identified in a representative general practice database (Disease Analyser, Germany) in three periods (01/2008–12/2008: n = 90.866, 818 practices, mean age (SD): 67.6 (12.1) years, 51% males; 01/2012–12/2012: n = 179.923, 1.158 practices, 68.3 (12.6) years, 51% males; 10/2015–09/2016: n = 201.667, 1.184 practices, 68.2 (12.9) years, 52% males). Chi-square and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for testing differences (2008 vs. 2015/16).Results: The mean number of type 2 patients per practice increased (2008: 111; 2015/16: 170). The proportion of retirees declined (74% vs. 61%) and patients in the working population increased (18% vs. 28%) (all p < 0.001). There were no relevant changes in mean HbA1c (7.1% vs. 7.2%), fasting blood glucose (141 mg/dl vs. 144 mg/dl) and BMI (31 kg/m2 vs. 32 kg/m2), whereas total cholesterol (204 mg/dl vs. 196 mg/dl) and triglycerides (159 mg/dl vs. 153 mg/dl) slightly declined (all p < 0.001). Prescription use of metformin, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) and sodium dependent glucose transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists enlarged (dual or triple combinations) while sulfonylurea use decreased. Prevalence of polyneuropathy (6.2% vs. 8.6%), nephropathy (1.9% vs. 3.2%) and depression (7.6% vs. 10.0%) rised (all p < 0.001).Conclusions: General practitioners play a key role in diabetes care, increasingly treating type 2 diabetes patients in the working population. There was no change in glycemic control over the study period (2008–2016). The use of glucose-lowering drug combinations increased and microvascular complications were more often recorded.

Is extra-glandular organ damage in primary Sjögren's syndrome related to the presence of systemic auto-antibodies and/or hypergammaglobulinemia? A long-term cohort study with 110 patients from the Netherlands.

To test the hypothesis that systemic auto-antibodies or hypergammaglobulinemia are related to the prevalence of extra-glandular tissue organ damage (EGOD) in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). A real practice-based investigation of a relatively large (n = 110) Dutch cohort of primary SS patients systematically followed up in a large non-academic hospital. After a follow up of mean 8.2 years a significant correlation was found between disease duration and the prevalence of EGOD. We did not observe a relationship between the total number or type of systemic auto-antibodies or hypergammaglobulinemia and the total number of EGOD. However, there was a correlation between the prevalence of polyneuropathy (PNP) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) as well as anti-Ro/SS-A positivity and there was an inverse relationship between the presence of anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). All PBC cases were anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B negative but ANA positive. There was a trend for a higher occurrence of pleuro-pulmonary disease in the ANA negative cases. Although we did not find a relationship between the total number or type of systemic auto-antibodies and the total number of EGOD, there were correlations between specific systemic auto-antibodies and specific types of EGOD. The presence of ANA and anti-Ro/SS-A was associated with the occurrence of PNP, as well as was the absence of anti-Ro/SS-A with PBC.

Polyneuropathy Was Common in a Dutch Population-Based Study of Older People

The prevalence of polyneuropathy increases with age. In this Dutch study, researchers screened 1310 residents of Rotterdam (age range, 52–95; mean, 70)

Polyneuropathy in levodopa-treated Parkinson's patients

Recently published studies show that the prevalence of polyneuropathy (PNP) is higher in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) than in age-matched controls. Its pathogenesis, however is a matter of controversy. The major hypothesis is the toxicity of high concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) possibly related to levodopa (LD) therapy.The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of PNP, independent of other etiologies, and to determine the relationship to demographic and clinical factors in LD-treated Parkinson's patients.A total of 102 patients (51 patients with PD and 51 sex- and age-matched healthy controls) were enrolled in the study. The presence of any risk factors for PNP, ascertained from the history and laboratory tests, was an exclusion criterion. The Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS) was used for clinical assessment of PNP. The objective assessment was based on electroneurography (ENG) studies in which motor nerves (peroneal and tibial nerves) as well as sensory nerves (sural and superficial peroneal nerves) were bilaterally examined. The severity of the disease was determined using the UPDRS scale (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale) and the Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) scale.In the PD group, the clinical and neurophysiological indicators of PNP, manifested as a symmetrical and predominantly sensory axonal neuropathy, were more frequent then in the control group and observed in 43.1% vs. 13.7% and 15.7% vs. 2% of subjects respectively. The presence of PNP correlated with age and the severity of PD. Patients with PD and PNP had a higher level of Hcy as compared to PD patients without PNP, however the difference was not statistically significant.The frequency of PNP in PD patients is higher than in controls. The characteristics and discrepancy between the number of patients with clinical and ENG detected PNP may suggest the small fiber neuropathy (SFN) as the dominant form of neuropathy in PD patients.

Prevalence of polyneuropathy in the general middle-aged and elderly population.

To determine the prevalence of chronic polyneuropathy in an unselected community-dwelling population of middle-aged and elderly people. The current study was embedded in the prospective, population-based Rotterdam Study. Between June 2013 and October 2015, 1,310 participants (mean age 70 years, 55% female) were screened for the presence of polyneuropathy. This screening consisted of a questionnaire, neurologic examination, and nerve conduction studies. Polyneuropathy was diagnosed by a consensus panel that categorized participants into no, possible, probable, or definite polyneuropathy, depending on the level of abnormality of the screening. Medical records were scrutinized to evaluate whether the disorder was diagnosed before and laboratory investigations were performed to determine the presence of associated risk factors. Prevalence of definite polyneuropathy was 5.5% (95% confidence interval 4.4-6.9), age-standardized to the population of the Netherlands 4.0% (3.1-5.3). Prevalence was higher in male participants (6.7% compared to 4.5%) and increased with age. When combining probable and definite polyneuropathy, age-standardized prevalence was 9.4% (7.9-11.1). Almost half of the polyneuropathies (49%) were newly diagnosed. The majority of polyneuropathies were idiopathic (46%). Diabetes, present in 31% of participants with polyneuropathy, was the most commonly found risk factor. Prevalence of polyneuropathy in the general middle-aged and elderly population is at least 4%, and increases with age. Almost half of the cases were newly diagnosed, indicating that the presence of polyneuropathy is underreported or underdiagnosed. Currently, almost half of the polyneuropathies are idiopathic. Future prospective cohort studies should focus on identifying new determinants of polyneuropathy.

Pain Management in geriatric patients

Pains belong to the most frequent reasons for a doctor's visit. In elderly people, it is the result of progressive degenerative processes (e. g. , arthrosis, Osteoarthritis, degenerative spinal changes) and a higher prevalence of cancer disease to a further increase of the patients who suffer unnecessarily from pains. By the increasing polymorbidity (e.g. diabetes mellitus, vascular disease) and a declining immune competence, the prevalence of polyneuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia rises. Insufficiently treated chronic or periodically returning pain can lead to serious interferences of the physical, cognitive and social everyday competence and therefore to a limited quality of life. These facts shows the relevance of a sufficient pain therapy in geriatric patients. Nevertheless, on account of existing comorbidity, polypharmacy as well as of impaired organ function, the pharmacological pain therapy in old patients also poses a potential hazard. Although pain prevalence is higher with geriatric than with younger patients, significantly less analgesics are prescribed in the elderly population. This results from existing uncertainties at the treating doctors as well as the complicated pain capture, in particular with cognitive affected patients. The present article should indicate options of treatment for geriatric pain patients.

Prevalence of Polyneuropathy in the General Population: The Rotterdam Study (P5.078)

Prevalence of Polyneuropathy in the General Population: The Rotterdam Study (P5.078)

Prevalence and factors associated with polyneuropathy in Parkinson’s disease

IntroductionData on polyneuropathy rates in Parkinson’s disease vary between studies. Our purpose was to determine its prevalence and the factors associated with that entity. Material and methodsPresence of polyneuropathy was determined using the Utah Early Neuropathy Scale and a nerve conduction study in patients with Parkinson’s disease. We established 2 subgroups of patients with polyneuropathy by clinical relevance: patients scoring ≥5 on the Utah Early Neuropathy Scale, and patients scoring <5 but with a neurophysiological study compatible with polyneuropathy. ResultsEighty-four subjects were included in the study. Prevalence of polyneuropathy was 30.9%; 21.4% of the patients scored ≥5 and 9.5% scored <5. According to the multivariate analysis, factors associated with polyneuropathy were older age at onset of Parkinson’s disease and more advanced stages of the disease according to the Hoehn and Yahr scale. Associated factors were older age and low levels of vitamin B12 for the subgroup scoring ≥5, but only age at disease onset for the subgroup with lower scores. ConclusionsPolyneuropathy may have a primary neurodegenerative origin in relationship with older age at onset of Parkinson’s disease and more advanced stages of the disease. Decreases in vitamin B12 levels may contribute to exacerbation of polyneuropathy in these patients.

The epidemiology and risk factors of chronic polyneuropathy.

Polyneuropathy is a disabling condition of the peripheral nerves, characterized by symmetrical distal numbness and paresthesia, often accompanied with pain and weakness. Although the disease is often encountered in neurological clinics and is well known by physicians, incidence and prevalence rates are not well known. We searched EMBASE, Medline, Web-of-science, Cochrane, PubMed Publisher, and Google Scholar, for population-based studies investigating the prevalence of polyneuropathy and its risk factors. Out of 5119 papers, we identified 29 eligible studies, consisting of 11 door-to-door survey studies, 7 case–control studies and 11 cohort/database studies. Prevalence of polyneuropathy across these studies varies substantially. This can partly be explained by differences in assessment protocols and study populations. The overall prevalence of polyneuropathy in the general population seems around 1 % and rises to up to 7 % in the elderly. Polyneuropathy seemed more common in Western countries than in developing countries and there are indications that females are more often affected than males. Risk factor profiles differ across countries. In developing countries communicable diseases, like leprosy, are more common causes of neuropathy, whereas in Western countries especially diabetes, alcohol overconsumption, cytostatic drugs and cardiovascular disease are more commonly associated with polyneuropathy. In all studies a substantial proportion of polyneuropathy cases (20–30 %) remains idiopathic. Most of these studies have been performed over 15 years ago. More recent evidence suggests that the prevalence of polyneuropathy in the general population has increased over the years. Future research is necessary to confirm this increase in prevalence and to identify new and potentially modifiable risk factors.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10654-015-0094-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.